“Without this incentive, we would be less competitive,” said Jeff Silka, executive director of the Somerset County Economic Development Council.

Under the new law, KOZ status on unoccupied land may be extended for seven years from the expiration dates of the zones; if companies occupy a parcel before Dec. 31, 2015, they may receive KOZ benefits for 10 years, according to a media release.

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In Somerset County, KOZ status in the North Star and Meyersdale industrial parks will run its course on Jan. 1. The Greater Windber and Somerset area zones have longer life spans, until Jan. 1, 2014, Silka said.

All taxing entities must sign off on the plan to expand the zones by sometime this fall for it to apply, he said.

The council is the county agency that administers the program.

“We must submit the paperwork to the state by Nov. 30,” he said.

The county is already on board.

“We as a board have always been in favor of an investment like that,” Commissioner James Marker said. “I believe it is an economic benefit any time you can offer a tax break to a business.”

Silka said he will be in contact with Meyersdale and North Star school district officials to see if they want to extend the KOZs.

“It is a short-term loss for a long-term benefit,” Marker said, referencing the loss in property taxes versus a company's ability to create jobs and additional development.

“The name of the game is to expand the tax base.”

Calling KOZs “one tool” to be used in economic development, Silka said: “I'm glad we didn't lose it. There is nothing to replace it.”